Speaking in a recent interview, Mikel Arteta revealed he experienced something at Ibrox that he’d ‘never seen’ before.
It’s easy to forget manager’s playing careers when they carve out a successful career for themselves in the dugout.
Arteta has done exactly that with Arsenal and he is now globally recognised as a manager rather than a former player.
But indeed, he did enjoy a very successful playing career and he’s now recalled how he felt when he played against Rangers at Ibrox for Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta left blown away by Rangers’ atmosphere at Ibrox
Speaking to Guillem Balague on Football Daily, Arteta recalls being left blown away by how passionate Rangers fans were when he faced them in a Champions League tie at Ibrox.
“We play in Champions League against Rangers and we have to go to Glasgow,” the Spaniard said.
“And what you just witnessed for your first time there, that’s what I witnessed when I went there.
“I went there and I said ‘wow, what is this, I’ve never seen an atmosphere like this’.
“Look how passionate these people are.
“So they came in for me straight away after this game and I said well, maybe it’s an opportunity for me as well.”
Ibrox’s atmosphere made such an impression on him, that he decided to join The Gers on a permanent transfer that summer for a reported fee worth £5.8m.
Mikel Arteta says joining Rangers was the ‘best decision’ he made
Arteta also added that joining Rangers and moving his family to Glasgow was the ‘best decision’ he made.
“We all moved there and I said ‘let’s see how this goes’.
“And it might sound, ‘yeah but from Paris’, best decision that we made. It was really challenging, completely different football, you have to survive or die in that context.
“And it’s an amazing club, a fascinating environment, great city and games will stick with me for the rest of my life.”